Winter storage
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
Winter storage
The long Minnesota winter will be here soon and I am faced with storing my "little white car" in my UNHEATED garage until the snow and "SALT" are a memory.
In talking to folks about storing a car, I get conflicting opinions. I bought a good quality cover, but do I:
Do I disconnect the battery? (Most think YES)
Do I not start the car all winter? (Causes engine condensation)
Do I put the car on jack stands? (50/50)
Do I remove the tires?
I would like to hear from other Corvette owners who live in cold weather states.
Thanks
In talking to folks about storing a car, I get conflicting opinions. I bought a good quality cover, but do I:
Do I disconnect the battery? (Most think YES)
Do I not start the car all winter? (Causes engine condensation)
Do I put the car on jack stands? (50/50)
Do I remove the tires?
I would like to hear from other Corvette owners who live in cold weather states.
Thanks
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,482
Likes: 0
From: Bridgewater Corners Vermont VT
Take the battery out, store in a cool dry place, do not place directly on a concrete floor, card board box on top of a piece foam board insulation is ideal. Bring to full charge before storing and before returning to service.
Hard to start with no battery.
Tire care, inflate to maximum pressure on sidewall, will help to prevent flat spotting, shouldn't be a problem if storage is for 6 months or less/
Before putting to bed, change oil and put fuel stabilizer into a full tank of gas, helps prevent condensation.
I've stored mine in Vermont this way with no problems.
Hard to start with no battery.
Tire care, inflate to maximum pressure on sidewall, will help to prevent flat spotting, shouldn't be a problem if storage is for 6 months or less/
Before putting to bed, change oil and put fuel stabilizer into a full tank of gas, helps prevent condensation.
I've stored mine in Vermont this way with no problems.
Last edited by shortski; Nov 1, 2006 at 06:38 AM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 914
Likes: 1
From: Plant City Florida
Considering the amount of money you have in the car, I would recommend private, dry & heated storage. Take out the battery, put some dry gel packets (marine stores sell this stuff) in the car and for 5-6 months you should be o.k..
Racer
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 281
Likes: 0
From: sterlling heights MI
I have stored corvettes for over 30 years. Prior to all the electronics starting with the c4, I would just start every other week and take a run around the block. With the C5s and c6s, a battery tender is a must as I do not disconnect the battery. If you do, take off both cables. I have had no (zero) side effect with leaving the car and tires on the ground, no flat spots, no nothing.
So, it is what ever makes you comfortable. I just chose to keep a battery tender on it and that's it. A warm winter day and the car is ready to roll to take advantage of the weather.
So, it is what ever makes you comfortable. I just chose to keep a battery tender on it and that's it. A warm winter day and the car is ready to roll to take advantage of the weather.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 5,894
Likes: 1
From: Farmingdale NY
St. Jude Donor '06
I've used a Battery Tender Plus for years now with no problems.
I also inflate the tires to a few pounds over, top off the tank and add Stabil, but I don't start the car until the spring.
I also inflate the tires to a few pounds over, top off the tank and add Stabil, but I don't start the car until the spring.
Pro
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 748
Likes: 372
From: Fargo, ND
I'm in Minnesota and our winters are pretty dry. I use a battery tender on the Vette and both of my bikes and leave the batteries in them. Change the oil, put in Stabil, inflate the tires up and cover the car with a breathable cover. Some other tips are to use a good rubber conditioner on your weatherstripping as well as a leather conditioner on the interior. If you are storing in an area where mice are an issue, cover the exhaust tips with empty pop cans (cut one end off) and you will need to use something in the interior to keep them out. I've heard people recommend Bounce dryer sheets, but have also heard from people that this is not effective either.
Moderator
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 40,862
Likes: 4,321
From: Lakewood Ranch, FL
Originally Posted by BobILoveAVette
I have stored corvettes for over 30 years. Prior to all the electronics starting with the c4, I would just start every other week and take a run around the block. With the C5s and c6s, a battery tender is a must as I do not disconnect the battery. If you do, take off both cables. I have had no (zero) side effect with leaving the car and tires on the ground, no flat spots, no nothing.
So, it is what ever makes you comfortable. I just chose to keep a battery tender on it and that's it. A warm winter day and the car is ready to roll to take advantage of the weather.
So, it is what ever makes you comfortable. I just chose to keep a battery tender on it and that's it. A warm winter day and the car is ready to roll to take advantage of the weather.
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Racer
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 342
Likes: 0
From: Shrewsbury MA
Originally Posted by BobILoveAVette
I have stored corvettes for over 30 years. Prior to all the electronics starting with the c4, I would just start every other week and take a run around the block. With the C5s and c6s, a battery tender is a must as I do not disconnect the battery. If you do, take off both cables. I have had no (zero) side effect with leaving the car and tires on the ground, no flat spots, no nothing.
So, it is what ever makes you comfortable. I just chose to keep a battery tender on it and that's it. A warm winter day and the car is ready to roll to take advantage of the weather.
So, it is what ever makes you comfortable. I just chose to keep a battery tender on it and that's it. A warm winter day and the car is ready to roll to take advantage of the weather.
Ditto. The only other thing I do is fill the tank, add stabilizer and take it for a ride to make sure the stabil is everywhere. In the spring one of the first things I do is change the oil.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 25,455
Likes: 3
From: Damn Connecticut Yankee
For my garaged C6:
1. Fill gas tank and add Sta-Bil (7.5 oz.); run through fuel lines.
2. Change oil and filter.
3. Park on moisture barrier
4. Inflate tires to 38 psi cold.
5. Apply sealant, wax, etc. to exterior paint.
6. Apply leather dressing to seat panel.
7. Apply vinyl dressing to interior; and to exterior black trim pieces.
8. Hook up Batter Tender. Run wire into engine compartment from underneath car and duct tape exposed wire to floor so you don't trip over it and yank it out.
9. Crack windows a bit.
10. Cover with Wolf Dustop inside car cover.
11. Wait for Spring.
1. Fill gas tank and add Sta-Bil (7.5 oz.); run through fuel lines.
2. Change oil and filter.
3. Park on moisture barrier
4. Inflate tires to 38 psi cold.
5. Apply sealant, wax, etc. to exterior paint.
6. Apply leather dressing to seat panel.
7. Apply vinyl dressing to interior; and to exterior black trim pieces.
8. Hook up Batter Tender. Run wire into engine compartment from underneath car and duct tape exposed wire to floor so you don't trip over it and yank it out.
9. Crack windows a bit.
10. Cover with Wolf Dustop inside car cover.
11. Wait for Spring.
Last edited by ProfMoriarty; Nov 1, 2006 at 11:02 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,136
Likes: 0
From: Stillwater MN
I also live in Minnesota. Heres what I just did yesterday.
- Filled gas full tank on my way home.
- Spent 3 hours cleaning entire car.
- Add Sta-Bil to gas tank
- Put about 30 sheets of "Bounce" dryer filters inside the car (keeps the mice out)
- Drove my C6 down to our Pull-barn and parked it on my Car Capsule mat.
- Hooked up my battery tender.
- Put my car cover on.
- Zipped up my car capsule and inflated it for the long winter.
- Went inside and ordered some new mods for the spring, Pipedreams chrome engine caps and a etched fuse box cover.
- Filled gas full tank on my way home.
- Spent 3 hours cleaning entire car.
- Add Sta-Bil to gas tank
- Put about 30 sheets of "Bounce" dryer filters inside the car (keeps the mice out)
- Drove my C6 down to our Pull-barn and parked it on my Car Capsule mat.
- Hooked up my battery tender.
- Put my car cover on.
- Zipped up my car capsule and inflated it for the long winter.
- Went inside and ordered some new mods for the spring, Pipedreams chrome engine caps and a etched fuse box cover.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 25,455
Likes: 3
From: Damn Connecticut Yankee
Originally Posted by 2006corvette
- Put about 30 sheets of "Bounce" dryer filters inside the car (keeps the mice out)
- Drove my C6 down to our Pull-barn and parked it on my Car Capsule mat.
- Put my car cover on.
- Zipped up my car capsule and inflated it for the long winter.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,136
Likes: 0
From: Stillwater MN
Originally Posted by ProfMoriarty
If your car is in a bubble why would you need to cover it or put dryer sheets inside the car to keep mice out?
